New G-Quadruplex-Forming Oligodeoxynucleotides Incorporating a Bifunctional Double-Ended Linker (DEL): Effects of DEL Size and ODNs Orientation on the Topology, Stability, and Molecularity of DEL-G-Quadruplexes

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unusual secondary structures of DNA occurring in guanosine-rich oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strands that are extensively studied for their relevance to the biological processes in which they are involved. In this study, we report the synthesis of a new kind of G4-forming molecule named double-ended-linker ODN (DEL-ODN), in which two TG(4)T strands are attached to the two ends of symmetric, non-nucleotide linkers. Four DEL-ODNs differing for the incorporation of either a short or long linker and the directionality of the TG(4)T strands were synthesized, and their ability to form G4 structures and/or multimeric species was investigated by PAGE, HPLC-size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC-SEC), circular dichroism (CD), and NMR studies in comparison with the previously reported monomeric tetra-ended-linker (TEL) analogues and with the corresponding tetramolecular species (TG(4)T)(4). The structural characterization of DEL-ODNs confirmed the formation of stable, bimolecular DEL-G4s for all DEL-ODNs, as well as of additional DEL-G4 multimers with higher molecular weights, thus suggesting a way towards the obtainment of thermally stable DNA nanostructures based on reticulated DEL-G4s.